Bleaching device using electro-optical and chemical means namely in the medical and dental field

ABSTRACT

A device for bleaching a part of the human body has a wave-current generator, a plurality of electrodes and a conductive gel. The conductive gel is maintained in contact with the part of the body. An active product is cooperative with the gel so as to be activated under the presence of light or heat. A conductive circuit and a resistor define poles of the electrodes on the container of the conductive gel and the part of the body. The photosensitive bleaching product is activated by applying photonic energy of a wavelength of 400 to 500 nanometers.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for bleaching bodies ensuringtheir structural integrity, applicable in particular in the industrialfields for fabrics, the medical field for nails and hairs and the dentalfield for teeth, comprising an electrophoretic-field creator taking,directly or through an electrically active product, the active bleachingmolecules towards their targets, the degraded products or those notresponsible for coloration towards the outside and eventually one orseveral active molecules capable of reconstituting the body having beensubjected to the action of the bleaching products in the body, thusdecreasing any degradation in the short or medium run which could becaused by the chemical applications of the active products and theremoval of the coloring molecules and eventually also including athermal and/or photonic source activating or accelerating the activationof the products implemented for bleaching, the whole under the controlof the electric or colorimetric sensor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bleaching a tooth, or providing it its original natural, specific to thepatient, has been an action commonly carried out in dentist's surgeriesfor more than 100 years and is very significant for the psychologicalbalance of the patients.

A very good explanation for this aesthetic action was given, andconstitutes a reference in this matter: the special addendum to JADA(Journal American Dental Assoc.) of April, 1997, No. 128 (addendum) pp.S1–S64 entitled “non-restorative treatment of discolored teeth, reportsfor an international symposium” and summarizing the congress of ChapelHill, North Carolina of Sep. 25 and 26, 1996. An update can be found inCRA (Clinical Research Associates newsletter) Vol. 24, Apr. 4, 2000issue or, more recently, in “Incidence of tooth sensitivity after homewhitening treatment” by Jorgensen and coll. JADA, August, 2002, Vol. 133pp. 1076–1082.

From this work can be seen that there are nowadays three importantmethods of bleaching used in the dentist's and medical surgeries:

-   -   a mechanical method consisting in associating to the plaque        control of teeth by mechanical means (manual and ultrasonic)        abrasive polishing pastes.    -   a chemical method, in general following the previous one, and        consisting in applying to the tooth a product capable of        removing the surface deposits as those due to tea or coffee.        These products are very low-concentration carboxide- or        peroxide-based products, and can be used by the patient himself        at home.    -   a more invasive chemical method having higher concentrations of        peroxide-based product, often requiring the dental surgeon's        intervention, taking into consideration the risks incurred by        the patient if it does not follow its therapeutics according to        the rules of the dental and medical field, and allowing to        reduce the coloration of the teeth inside the dental body        itself. Recently this method was modified and reduced in action        in order to be usable by the patient himself at home (home kit)        under cover of a periodic medical control.

Unfortunately and very quickly, both the practitioners and theirpatients realized that:

-   -   the application time was very long and required the        immobilization of the patient during more than 5 minutes per        tooth, or 20 minutes per half arch.    -   the cost of the intervention was therefore painful and        prohibitive!

For this reason products were developed reacting more quickly whilebeing activated by the light or heat. This method allows to reduce byfour the time spent for the medical bleaching action.

Based on these promising results a number of products known asphotosensitive were put on the market and used abundantly andsuccessfully, associating perborate and hydrogen peroxide or peroxidecarbamide activated by camphoroquinone, itself photosensitive between400 and 500 nm. These products result from the techniques developed andintroduced originally by CORCORAN and ZILLICH (1974) and by RENNEBOOG(1989). These studies highlight the role of heat and radiation broughtby the halogen lamps in the activation of the bleaching products.

Thus, nowadays there exist on the market many bleaching products thatare directly usable by the patient at home or that can be applied athigher concentration by the dentists. These products act directly orafter activation by light or heat. They use in great majority as basicformula hydrogen peroxide at approximately 35% as described for firsttime by HALON in 1884.

To activate even more the reaction and to further divide by two thealready considerably reduced time, it was asked to develop even morepowerful lamps and it is for this purpose that the xenon-arc plasma lamp“Apollo 95^(E)”, patents FR 2,773,986 and FR 2,782,000, was invented anddeveloped, which included a “bleaching” function and which supposed anaction of about 30 seconds on the product placed in contact with thetooth. This product is often in the form of a gel maintained in atransparent gutter. A typical example has been sold for a long timeunder the name of “Apollo secrete whitening kit” (DMDS Corp. LosAngeles, USA).

Admittedly the results obtained were spectacular and many manufacturersfollowed this technology. However this process, even if it reduced thetime considerably, had many limits.

It was indeed shown that:

-   -   with some products the action of the lamp, therefore its        effectiveness, was not only due to the photonic, but also to the        thermal emissions and it is under these two effects that these        products were activated.    -   since the cost of these lamps is very high, the treatment        remained relatively expensive,    -   since these methods require high peroxide concentrations, they        impeded their use by the patient at home,    -   the thermal rise observed in the tooth was disproportionate        compared to the activation of the product and could even be        dangerous when the action was too long,    -   it was impossible to properly control the thermal value at the        very level of the tooth, to the risk of causing significant        disorders in the health of dental pulp itself. Moreover, the        movement even of the hand could result into changes in        localization of the point of luminous or thermal impact.    -   by replacing the light emitted by the lamps with high thermal        emission, such as the xenon-arc or halogen lamps, by lamps known        as cold lamps, such as those described in FR 2,805,148 and FR        2,318,892, the heating effect was removed, which allowed the        operator to increase without any risk his time of action to        activate the photosensitive products, but in parallel obliged        him again to a long exposure because of the elimination of the        source of heat.    -   if a dispersed light is used over the whole arcade (for example        in the form of luminous gutter), the time is again reduced, but        not more than by using the high powers.    -   the doses implemented for treatment in the dentist's surgery        (30% peroxide) as well as at the patient's home (8–10% peroxide)        are extremely high compared to the aim searched for and explains        the side effects observed (dental pains with the cold).    -   there are many repetitions because the molecules responsible for        coloration are modified, even cut, but never actually removed        from the site. The fact that they remain allows the        recombination of the initial chemical bonds explaining the need        for a re-treatment at increasingly closer intervals.    -   finally, the aggressive action of peroxide in contact with the        gum always obliges the practitioner as well as the patient to        many precautions to avoid the bums during and after the        treatment.

Moreover, at no time has been solved a fundamental problem whichjustified the putting under monitoring of the bleaching products and inparticular the peroxide by all the safety committees in the field ofhealth of the EC and the FDA, irrespective of the degree of degradationof the tooth itself under the effect of these products, whether they aremassively applied in high doses, or slowly at home by the patienthimself. Do the post-operational pains result from a degradation of thetooth such as many authors affirmed? How to correct some significantdecalcifications observed among patients after erroneous appliedtreatments?

Finally, though it is possible through known techniques to allow afaster action of the bleaching products, there is no method allowing tocontrol, at low cost, the activation of the chemical bleachingcomponents and to correct the degradation of the tooth following theireffects.

Even more serious is what will happen with the molecules responsible forcoloration. Indeed, after a treatment primarily based on the division oflarge colored molecules into smaller ones, the residue of this reactionremains, with the active agent, inside the dental body, which cunninglycontinues its action and significantly limits the penetration offluorine or calcium.

In addition to the consequences of this steric space occupation, it canbe seen well that the arrival on the site of intra-dental action of thebleaching molecule occurs by pure passive permeability, undoubtedlyexplaining its weak penetration, the time necessary to allow its action,the absence of a possible control of the reaction by the operator, butalso a total lack of knowledge of its actual concentration in the areaof action, i.e. on the molecules responsible for coloration in dentaltissue.

Finally, the absence of objective and inexpensive reference to thebeginning and the follow-up of the evolution of bleaching of the toothmakes its estimate perfectly subjective.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioneddrawbacks by providing a complete bleaching unit made up of anelectrochemical system, finding its application in particular in thedental and medical fields, allowing, thanks to the creation of anelectrophoretic field, a strong, fast penetration and directing thebleaching agents, their removal under the same conditions together withthe molecules responsible for coloration and an effective and controlledpenetration of the stabilizing agents for the apatite crystal, basiccomponent of the tooth, such as fluorine, but also, thanks to itslight-based optical system, the activation of the photosensitivebleaching products by decreasing the heat effect while increasing thephotonic effect thanks to a selection of wavelength in the range of400–500 nm and, finally, thanks to an electro-optical unit, the controlof the evolution of coloration by objective spectrocolorimetry-basedmethods.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve these problems byproviding a flexible and cheap solution usable both in a dentist'ssurgery and, in a simplified form, at the patient's home.

In particular it solves the many problems mentioned above, because:

-   -   by the means implemented, the device provides a natural source        of energy for activating the components responsible for the        bleaching, which is the ohm effect due to the passage of the        electrophoretic current in a gel, the supplement brought by        electric heat sources or also the addition of a photonic        emission (LEDs),    -   the cost of such a system, which allows avoiding the use of the        lamps, is extremely low because an electrophoretic source is        only an electric power supply. This cost becomes very low if the        same power supply is used for an electric tooth-brush and the        device of this invention.    -   the means for controlling the electrophoretic energy, provided        by a simple power supply similar to a power supply for an        electric tooth-brush, allows its use at the patient's home. The        communication by modem allows the dentist to follow up the        evolution of the treatment over the Internet.    -   the thermal rise caused by the device allows to activate the        bleaching molecules before moving them towards the center of the        tooth.    -   the thermal value can be fully controllable thanks to a feedback        device independent from the operator.    -   if LEDs are used, it is not necessary to increase the time,        compared to lamps with high thermal emission, because to the        photonic effect is added the natural heating effect accompanying        any electrophoretic current.    -   since LEDs are tiny, they can be placed against the operation        site, avoiding the use of a lamp with fibers, which reduces the        cost of the device considerably.    -   the doses implemented for the treatment at the dentist's as well        as at home are very low for an identical effect and much higher        effect at equal doses, because the active molecules are brought        on the colored site and the molecules responsible for this        coloration are evacuated by the electrophoretic currents.    -   the evacuation of the colored molecules from the tooth reduces        the repetitions.    -   the reduction in the doses for a similar effect allows to reduce        the side or undesirable effects such as the caustic action on        the gum.

To this end, the present invention relates to a device for activatingreactive molecules responsible for bleaching and for selectivelyamplifying their movements towards the inside of the tooth, of theopposite movement of the products resulting from their internal actionand their replacement, by a movement also captured by the device, of themolecules stabilizing and reinforcing the structure of the tooth, thewhole under the control of a system for measuring their effectiveness.

Thus the device according to the invention comprises:

-   -   a central unit allowing to control the parameters defining        thermal dynamics (such as the intensity, the variation, the        speed or the acceleration), photonic dynamics (such as the power        and the wavelength), electrophoretic dynamics (such as the        intensity, the power, the frequency, the profile and the        modulation, but also a system for controlling through feedback        of the action in progress or obtained), the time, the storage,        the reading and the transmission of the data on various carriers    -   a primarily electro-opto-numerical extrabuccal unit, whether        included or not in the central unit and containing:    -   an electronic system creating a polarization field enabling us        to obtain an electric, electromagnetic or electrophoretic field        between the gel deposited on the tooth and the interior of the        tooth and the function of which is to activate and direct a        direct ion flow.

By direct action, one understands that the electric field created actsdirectly on the loads present (and total loads) of the molecules whichare of interest to us in bleaching. Thus, there is an electric ormagnetic field acting directly on the positive or negative loads of theactive molecules, such as the peroxide responsible for bleaching,carrying them towards the interior of the tooth, so that they canpenetrate into it quickly and strongly.

There will also be an opposite movement, whether simultaneous or not, ofthe whole or degraded coloring molecules, by the bleaching agents, sothat they do not remain in the enamel and that they are not likely torecombine. There will finally be a last movement, whether combined ornot with the bleaching agents, of the reconstituting ions of the toothtowards the interior of the enamel (for example, the negative ionfluorine at doses of 1.1 ppm).

This action can be indirect when the molecules to be moved are notelectrically active. In this case, it is no longer the acting molecules(peroxide, dye and fluorine . . . ) which are pulled by the electricfield, but a complementary product sensitive to the electric field andcapable, because of its electric characteristics, of being pulled bythis field, and, because of its chemical characteristics, of fixingitself on the acting molecules or simply of pulling them withoutchemical bond, but by passive carrying away, like any moving fluid iscapable of carrying particles.

It should be specified that the incorporation of ions stabilizing andreinforcing the tooth fills the possible gaps resulting from thebleaching action.

According to an additional feature of the device according to theinvention, it includes a device activating the photosensitive productsthanks to a LED, halogen or arc light system associated with acomplementary thermal system in the event cold light (LED) is usedand/or when the active products are heat-sensitive. The transport of thenecessary energy to the area to be bleached occurs by means of fiberwhen light energy is involved, by a fluid when thermal energy isinvolved and by wires when electric power is involved.

According to another additional feature of the device according to theinvention, it includes a spectro or colorimetric sensor capable ofstoring and indicating, according to the comparative principle, thespecific adjustments and the evolution of the coloration of the teeth.This spectrocolorimeter of elementary and inexpensive design, allows tomeasure, before and after treatment, the progressive change incoloration of the gel being loaded with products degraded and/orproceeding from the treated tooth released from them.

The device according to the invention also comprises an endobuccal unitcontaining:

-   -   a generally transparent gutter capable of containing the        bleaching products such as the peroxide solutions, the dyes        degraded by peroxide, and the fluorinated gel (for example).        These gutters can be standard or individual for each patient        and/or each type of product, in particular, in the case of        indirect action.    -   eventually a gutter included in the first one or adaptable to        it, carrying the source of lights (LEDs for example) or guiding        the (halogen or plasma) light to all or part of the arch,    -   an electrophoretic connection ensuring, according to its        polarization, the fast evacuation of the components degraded        under the action of the light or of the activated peroxide, and        inversely, the penetration of the bleaching products or the gel        loaded with reconstituent components of the tooth,    -   eventually a thermal source, such as for example electric        filaments, allowing a controlled rise in the temperature at the        level of the teeth to be treated.    -   a gel containing the bleaching products and/or the reconstituent        ions used for conducting current through the gutter from outside        towards the interior of the tooth, and, eventually, another type        of gel of polarization reversed or identical to the previous        one, but the polarization of which has been reversed and aimed        at receiving, and eventually at trapping, the coloring molecules        moved out of the tooth. This gel constitutes the first pole of        polarization.

The device according to the invention also comprises a polar element, akind of handle held in the hand or in the tooth or a flexible conductivesurface applied on the patient's back and allowing to bring the reversedpolarity in the human body with respect to that applied in the gel ofthe endobuccal gutter. It is now known that this polarity will betransmitted into the dental pulp thanks to the liquids present in thehuman body. The human body is thus the second pole creating theelectrophoretic field with the gel of the gutter.

This invention also consists in associating with a coherent aggregate ofknown bleaching processes the electrophoretic movements described hereand in controlling their results obtained thanks to a simple monitoringsystem such as for example by colorimetry.

The invention thus consists in more quickly bleaching the teeth, toreduce the cost of the treatment by transporting in an active way thebleaching products very close to the molecules responsible for theircoloration, in ensuring a new, unique and actual evacuation of thedegraded components, and in reinforcing the apatite structure of theenamel, thanks to the active bringing in of ions such as calcium orfluorine onto the site. This new and unique design is implemented thanksto the use of electrophoretic currents combined with a supporting systemof thermal or photonic activation which can result from theelectrophoresis.

It is also known that a electrophoresis current causes the environmentaltemperature to increase during the passage of the current withoutanother external intervention. Advantageously, the present inventionthus consists in selecting a gel carrying the active bleachingingredients capable of optimizing the well-known ohm effect accompanyingthe passage of the current and activating at the same time the activeperoxide molecules, while avoiding the use of external heat or photonicsources.

Advantageously and according to an additional feature of the deviceaccording to the invention, if the normal rise in the temperature is notsufficient, it comprises a gutter containing a unique filament servingboth as electrophoretic pole and as electric resistor allowing a thermalrise during the passage of the current, thus creating the heat source.It is known, indeed, that any passage of current is accompanied by anohm effect. It is thus proposed here to use a polarizing wire having, inaddition, a fast and consequent thermal rise during the passage ofcurrent, even if a low current, and thus allowing to reinforce thechemical and electrophoretic effect, already described, of a thermaleffect activating the molecules by increasing the energy vibration,making them more reactive.

Advantageously and according to another additional feature of the deviceaccording to the invention, the electric filament will be of differentsize or made of different materials, according to the desired effectand, for example, and without this being restrictive, it will be of alarger size in the case of use under the control of a professional, suchas a dental surgeon, in order to achieve a higher and faster thermalrise. It will be less powerful in the case of a private use at home, inorder to avoid any risk.

According to another additional feature of the device according to theinvention, the means for adjusting the parameters of the operation ofthe heat source consist of means for selecting in a memory connected tosaid central unit and the selection of a determined profile amongseveral pre-stored profiles in the memory. Indeed, it is known that anoptimal temperature must be obtained in order to have the best possiblereaction of activation of the active ingredients of peroxide. Below orabove this temperature the molecule is less active. The purpose of thememory is to optimize the time of action and the temperature obtained bynatural ohm effect or by the electric resistor according to the desireddegree of action. These parameters resulting from tests in laboratoryand well-known to the specialists allow one to preset a priori the valueof the difference in potential between the two terminals of theelectrophoresis, therefore, the power and the duration of applicationaccording to the desired degree of action.

According to another additional feature of the device according to theinvention, the means for adjusting the parameters of operation of theelectrophoresis and the heat source are pre-stored in the memory of thecentral unit according to determined parameters, such as the time andthe power and are adjustable by the practitioner.

Advantageously, in another case, only one parameter, such as the time,can be changed, thus avoiding any false handling and this in particularwithin the framework of a private use.

Advantageously, the memory connected to said central unit can be of aprogrammable type for recording the thermal profiles and/or the datarelating to one or several adjustable parameters such as the voltage orthe intensity of the current, capable of being selected.

Preferably, the device includes data-entering means, such as a keyboardwith keys and/or a touch screen and/or any other data-entering means,namely remote ones, for storing in the memory the energy profile and/ordata corresponding to an adjustable parameter of the memory. In thelatter case, the practitioner or the patient will be able to follow upthe evolution of the treatment on a screen, over the Internet or aconfidential modem or any other data-transmission means.

Among the means of remote entering are the parameters for adjusting theprofiles, the control of the operation of the apparatus and thedetection of a possible breakdown thus allowing its remote monitoring,remote diagnosis or remote maintenance without physical intervention onthe site of use.

According to an additional device of the invention, the gutter containssensors for measuring the current or thermal or optical sensors allowingto know the evolution of the treatment before removing the gutter.Indeed it is now known that it is impossible to follow up and to knowthe actual state of the evolution of the bleaching treatment before theremoval of the gutter. According to an additional device of thisinvention, this consists in providing the expert with means for knowingthis evolution, thus for removing the gutter or for acting in feedbackon the parameters such as the difference in potential, the intensity orthe time by following the behavior of the current, because it is knownthat the more an electrophoresis evolves, the more the characteristicsof the current also evolve. A priori the variation of the electricalcurrent can be tested on an in vitro bench and reported in vivo in orderto follow up a priori the bleaching without being obliged to remove thegutter.

According to the invention, there is an alternative to the thermalaction. It is a photonic activation that can be included in the gutterand comprising a source of light and a routing of the light to the sitethat must receive it. This mode of action can be a compulsoryalternative, because we know that some peroxides such as those presentin the “ultra light” marketed by “SHOFU” are more photosensitive thanheat-sensitive products. There is thus a source of light which can behalogen light, with LEDs or plasma light, such as Apollo 95^(E), or anyassociation between them and light of which is guided by a fiber toinside the gutter. This radiation ensures, on the one hand, a photonicactivation corresponding to the wavelength selected according to theabsorption spectrum of the peroxide molecule and, on the other hand, athermal activation due to the release of heat accompanying any halogenor plasma radiation.

Advantageously, this source of light is comprised of one or morelight-emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of emitting in the photosensitivearea of the activators of the bleaching reaction for the teeth rangingbetween 380 and 900 nanometers. These diodes, uniformly distributed overthe gutter, for example opposite each tooth, allow the light to act atonce on the complete arch.

Advantageously, these diodes use 2 sources of wavelength, one activatingcamphoroquinone or PPDA (470 and 430 nanometers) and/or another oneproducing a thermal radiation thanks to LEDs emitting in the red and theinfra-red (above 650 nanometers). Since the LEDs are small, they can beuniformly deposited on a die-carrier and alternately, in order toproperly distribute the wavelengths over the arch. No light-conductingfiber is required, because LEDs are sufficiently small to be insertedinto the patient's mouth. Only a current-supply cord connects the LEDsto the source of energy. This card will preferentially be a DC-DCsupply. such as the one described in Patent FR 2,818,092. Indeed thesupply mode can be the same, whether an activation reaction (peroxide)or condensation reaction (polymerization) is concerned.

Advantageously, these sources of light have a profile of theprogrammable type varying in time, power or wavelength, drawn or not,allowing to optimize this activation reaction.

Advantageously and according to this mode of action, there will be auncoupling between the activation of the peroxide molecule, via thecamphoroquinone, and the release of the fluorine ion. Indeed it is knownthat the fluorine ion can be an inhibitor in determined reactions. It isthus desirable for it to be released specifically in the electrophoreticaction after the action of peroxide, i.e. after the degradation of themolecules responsible for coloration. To this end, the photonicactivation of the camphoroquinone molecule and the release of fluorinewill occur, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, bytwo different wavelengths, one emitted by the LEDs at 470 nm for thecamphoroquinone, and the other one by of LEDs the radiation of whichwill be different and will release the fluorine molecule at the end ofthe clinical bleaching operation.

Indeed, and according to the body of the invention, there is a deviceallowing to fill the degradations of the dental structure during theevacuation of the coloring molecules.

It is realized that the coloring molecules penetrating most deeply intothe tooth, locate themselves either in spaces between crystals or in thecrystal itself when the latter is not completely structured followingfood deficits or drug treatments during its formation(tetracycline-based antibiotics therapy, NATHOO 1997). This situation,on the one hand, makes difficult its evacuation, which justifies highconcentrations of peroxide, and, on the other hand, and this isdangerous for the tooth, a degradation of the crystal itself, whichjustifies the restriction of the use of bleaching products or thelimitation in percentage of the active agents such as hydrogen peroxideby the international health authorities. It is known for a long timethat the extraction of an ion, hydroxyl, calcium or its absence, makesthe hydroxyapatite crystal unstable and vulnerable. This is often leadsto dental carie. That is why one recommends fluoridations of the tooth,in order to fill these ionic lacks of fluorine or calcium.

The present invention thus proposes to use the electric resistor or acomplementary resistor as polarization field, allowing the activeevacuation of the coloring molecules used for bleaching (peroxide), butalso the creation of a reversed field, simultaneously or a posteriori,allowing a repairing ionic action as is the fluoridation of the dentalbody.

Indeed, it is known that fluorine is one of the determining componentsin allowing a restructuring of the crystal of the tooth, enamel ordentine. For this reason this ion is administered to children and adultsin the event of decalcification. This ion is indeed aimed at making upthe calcium deficits in the apatite crystal, allowing a stabilization ofthe molecular structure. This is also the reason why in the bleachingkits is included, for example, “Opalescence F1” which contains 0.11%(that is 1.1 ppm) for 5% of carbamide peroxide, but which it mustnowadays diffuse in a passive, hence random way.

Advantageously, the present invention proposes to inject this ion, or asimilar ion as to its action on protecting the tooth, by creating anelectric field reversed with respect to the one used for the evacuationof the molecules responsible for dental coloration or of the samepolarity (positive to attract fluorine, negative inside the tooth) butduring evacuation and after the action of peroxide. The action can occurat the same time as the action of peroxide, since the ion used is noinhibitor. The present invention proposes to sequence the polaritiesaccording to the desired effect: action of peroxide, evacuation of thedyestuffs and reinforcement of the tooth according to the possibleinterrelationships of the molecules with each other. Using anelectrophoretic mode not only allows to move these molecules in anactive way, but also guarantees the separation of the chemical actionsin order to avoid any interactive action that could be negative betweenthe various reactions. It is the only method that allows to affirm thatthere is no chemical interrelationship in phases that must be separated.

To this end, it can be summarized the present invention as being anelectrophoretic and chemical, incidentally thermal, bleaching device,comprising a source of energy supplying a electrophoretic currentvarying in polarity and the conductors of which are connected, on theone hand, to the patient's body (first pole) and, on the other hand(second pole), to a gutter containing the chemicals responsible for ableaching treatment. These electric conductors present in the gutterallow both thermal rise by Joule effect (which can be replaced by aphotonic source), but also, because of their varying electrophoreticpolarization, the displacement of the molecules towards the interior ofthe tooth so that they are quickly and deeply active (such as theperoxide molecules or the fluorine ions, reconstituent molecules of thetooth after bleaching), and the opposite displacement towards theoutside of the tooth ensuring an active evacuation of the moleculesresponsible for coloration. The electrophoretic field is located at thelevel of the tooth. One of the poles is held in the hands or on the bodyof the patient, this polarity is transmitted via the blood and lymphaticways to the dental pulp, and the other pole is transmitted by theelectric resistor present in the gutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aims and advantages of this invention will become clear from thefollowing description, with reference to an embodiment given by way ofan indicative and non-restrictive example. The understanding of thisdescription will be made easier with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a device for bleaching the teethaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial and exploded view of a portion of thesame device.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the samedevice during a bleaching operation.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional partial view of another portionof the same device.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are diagrams of the representation of a cycle ofanalysis of the color of a tooth.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are schematic partial views of a variant of the samedevice.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the various steps of the treatmentimplemented by the device according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a variant of a portion of thesame device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the various steps of the treatmentimplemented by the device according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a toothdevitalized during its treatment by means of the device according to theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial view of a particular embodiment of thedevice according to the invention, adapted for treating nails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in these figures, the present invention relates to a bleachingdevice which will be of particular interest in the dental field.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, this device includes a standard gutter 1 withits electrophoretic resistor 2 and an array of activating LEDs 19connected through electric connections 3 to an electronic control,monitoring and storing box 4 and with reversed polarization handle 23.

The standard gutter 1, aimed at covering the dental arch to be bleached,is provided with a electric conduction system 2 allowing the creation ofan electrophoretic field, accompanied by a thermal rise, having apositive or negative polarity, and which is connected, for example by anelectric lead 3, with an adjusting and control unit 4 contained in acasing, allowing to define or program the parameters of the clinicaltreatment (time, degree wished by the patient) and those defining theelectrophoretic field (intensity, voltage . . . ). These controllablecriteria on dials 5 can be modified by handling control knobs 6,remotely transmitted in a geographically off-set system and thanks to adigital link (modem . . . ) 7, stored on a diskette 8 or stored in acentral unit 9. On a plug 10 can be installed a ON/OFF pedal 11 for anyintervening factor such as the activating light and/or theelectrophoretic field, and/or a analysis flash. The head 12 of thelatter receives, thanks to a lead 13, the light emitted by referenceLEDs which can e Red, Green, Blue, and in return, the informationmodified by the measured object, in this example a tooth. Thisconduction occurs through optical fibers or directly on a sensor 14which sends the measured values to the analyzer located in unit 4. Theselective startup of the spectrocolorimeter occurs, through conductivemeans 15, thanks to a button 16 located on the front of unit 4, and theresult obtained can be seen on an alpha-numeric screen 17 located above.The startup of the heating system, thanks to the selection button 16,leads the sending of energy over a wire 18 which induces either theillumination of LEDs 19 located on the gutter 1, or the thermal rise ina resistor 20 located in the gutter 1 when the wire creating theelectrophoretic field 2 is insufficient. A thermal or electric probe 21will indicate in return the state of the electrophoresis to the centralcontrol and information unit 4. The reversed polarity with respect tothat created by the resistor 2 will be transmitted to the pulp, via theblood or the lymphatic system, etc . . . , thanks to a handle 23 held inthe hand and connected to the unit 4 by means of a lead 24. Thispolarity can be reversed automatically or by an action on button 6.

The activation of peroxides can occur thanks to the rise in temperaturein a thermal resistor in common with that serving for theelectrophoresis 2 or independent from the latter 20 if the selection ofa different shape and/or a material can optimize any of the functions.

It should be observed in particular that the present invention is by nomeans limited to an electric activation of the basic components presentin a bleaching gel 25 in components active on the dyestuffs andsensitive to the electrophoresis. Indeed, this activation can be carriedout, according to the invention, by opto-electronic means. In this case,a resistor 2 ensures the electrophoresis, and an activating source oflight is led through a lamp located in the electronic unit 4, until thebleaching gel, by an optical fiber 18, or produced directly by LEDs nearthe latter 19. In the latter case, the optical fiber 18 is replaced byan electric conducting wire which ensures the supply to the LEDs.

In order to control the temperature by feedback, the characteristics ofthe electrophoretic current and/or the light power, there is providedfor a thermal, electric and/or photonic sensor 21 connected to thecentral control unit 4 by means of a connecting cable 22, or by acommunication by waves. These sensors 21 send the necessary informationto the central unit so that it controls whether the treatment is carriedout according to the adjustments programmed in the central processingunit 4. This information feedback allows the periodic, even thecontinuous and automatic adjustment while respecting the programmedfunctions. It is obvious that the central unit is not compulsory for theimplementation of the invention, and that a simple manual adjustment cangive satisfaction in a rustic use.

If it is decided to use a gel 25 sensitive to the electrophoreticcurrent produced by the poles 2 and 23 and a characteristic of which isto change color at the time of this activation, then of this migration,this sensor 21 can be a photosensitive cell, such as a photodiode. Inthis case, by applying the law of Bert Lambert, which connects theconcentrations to the intensities measured by the photodiode accordingto the formula Ic/Io=log Co, it is possible to be able to follow theevolution of the concentration of active ingredients in the tooth andthe return of the degraded colored molecules. The projection of analysislight occurs at the level of head 12 of the calorimeter, whereas thereading is stored thanks to a CCD or a photodiode located in head 12 orthe sensor 14.

When referring now to FIG. 2, which is a schematic view of a conductiveplate that can be placed against the surface of the teeth before agutter adapted to the patient's mouth is positioned in a traditionalway, it is seen that the conductive electrophoretic plate 2 can consistof a flexible lead 26 that can be placed against the surface of theteeth before a specially molded gutter adapted to the patient's mouth ispositioned in a traditional way by the dentist or the prothesist. Inthis case, the flexible plate 26 is pressed against the teeth orpre-cast on the patient's print. According to a work perfectly known tothe professionals, an anatomical gutter, i.e. specifically molded out ofresin according to the shape of the patient's mouth, is then carriedout. This gutter can be made out of a transparent material, in order toallow the activation of the peroxide-containing gel (or active throughanother chemical principle) by a light applied from outside. In thiscase, the electrophoretic filament will have to be pressed as close aspossible to the tooth or will have to consist of a conducting material,itself transparent, such as loaded resins. The electric contributionoccurs through a connector 27 and its complementary part 28 when onewishes to be able to separate the gutter 1 from the unit 4 for obviouspractical reasons.

When referring to the FIG. 3, which shows a cross-sectional view of thegutter 1, one can see that the contact stop 28 is divided into twoparts, one for the supply 31 and the other one for the on/off control ofthe heat resistor by thermal or photonic energy 34 when LEDs 19 or anyother source of light are used. Since the gel 25 is conductive, theresistor 2 for creating an electrophoretic field does not need to be toolarge, the polarization of the field being dispersed perfectly. Thelight 19 or the heat resistor 34 are aimed at favoring the start of thereaction of activation of the bleaching gel 25 being in contact with thetooth 30 and somewhat with the gum 35, even though this is not desirablebecause of the natural aggressiveness of peroxides on soft tissues.

It will be noted that, in a non-restrictive way, the contact stop 28 isof the jack type. It can include more than one separate contact if thecontrol through feedback or several other types of polarization must beadded.

In FIG. 4 is shown an inexpensive differential colorimeter 14 being usedas control unit for the effectiveness of the bleaching treatment byelectrophoresis, while FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are diagrams A and B,respectively, of the representation of a cycle of analysis of the colorof a tooth, before and after bleaching, respectively. The differentialcalorimeter is a very simple system based on the differentialmeasurement of a color, before and after treatment by reflection ontooth 30.

The handling principle is as follows: a source of light is calibrated,comprised of several LEDs 38 fixed to a support evacuating the heatrelease 39, supplied and controlled by a DC/DC card 40. These LEDs arein a number (minimum of 2) and of varying color, but preferably Red,Green and Blue (RGB system). They emit a radiation which is taken up byan optical concentrating system 41, then led, after separation in aspace in part on the tooth 30 and in part directly on a sensor 45(generally a photodiode, a CCD or a CMOS), with or without mixing. It ispossible to separate one and the same beam into two parts and to performthe measuring on two or only one sensor. It is possible also to use onlyone sensor 45 by shifting the measuring in the time. The informationwill be led from the sensor 45, via a connection 47, to a differentialcomparator 48 which, thanks to the analysis of the difference betweenthe incidental beam, diagram A, and the reflected beam, diagram B, canprovide a value of the color of the tooth and can compare it with thevalue measured before treatment.

If one took care to store in the central unit 9 the standard dentalcolors well-known to the specialist (Vita colors for the teeth . . . ),with the same method and the same reference (standard test), it ispossible to see on the alphanumeric screen 17, and to follow theevolution, hence, the effectiveness of the treatment according tocriteria recognized by the professionals. It is thus possible, accordingto the invention, to perform an objective measuring of the results ofthe treatment without being obliged to use too expensive methods.

As shown in FIG. 6 a, the gutter can be only partial 49 or monodental50, if one does not wish to treat determined teeth 30 for medicalquestions (pains at the collars . . . ) or if one has sensitive gums 35.The connector 27 will preferably be identical, irrespective of the typeof gutter.

Likewise, and as is shown in FIG. 6 b, it is possible to have aconnection 27, without the gutter, simply connected to theelectrophoresis lead 2 the length of which can be adapted, by making asection 51 to eliminate a portion 52, in order to limit it to someteeth.

In order for the function of the device object of this invention to bewell understood, in FIG. 7 has been shown the action of theelectrophoretic electric fields as implemented. One can state, by way ofan example, that there can exist, and this is not restrictive, threesuccessive times using the electrophoretic bleaching currents.

In a first time, the electrophoretic current drags towards the interiorof the tooth 53 the molecules rich in bleaching product, such as forexample carbamide peroxide 54, present in the gel 25. If the moleculescarrying the active groups are negatively charged, the polarity 55 ofthe resistor of the gutter is negative and the polarity of the body, forexample held in the patient's hands, is positive. This polarity istransmitted to the complete tooth, via the odontoblastic cells borderingthe pulp 58, mainly at the dentine/enamel interface 53 where there isoften a concentration of molecules responsible for coloration 59. Onewill thus have an ionic movement towards the center of the tooth,pushing the active molecules against these dyestuffs. If the activemolecule is not charged, one can passively drive it into the ionicmovements created by additional fluids comprised of highly chargedmolecules.

In a second time, an reversed and unique movement, the core of theinvention, is created, which is aimed at extracting from the tooth thecoloring molecules 60 having been degraded by the bleaching agents 61.It is obvious the coloring molecules with an opposite polarity to thatof the resistor will be extracted from the tooth. Since this polaritypresent in the gel 62 is the same as that of the bleaching molecules 54,the non-degraded bleaching molecules or those that have not been reactedare extracted from the tooth, in order to avoid them from continuingtheir action beyond the treatment and from being likely to injure thecomponents of the tooth (which makes them hypersensitive and can evendegrade them). That also allows to actually stop the process at adetermined and selected time. This technique is the only one which makescontrollable the bleaching of the teeth.

Finally, in a third time, but this is not restrictive in the principleof the invention, the gel resulting from the first two action times,charged with the dyestuffs and the molecules of the active product,which have been reacted or not, such as the peroxides, is removed andreplaced by a fluorine-rich gel, and/or rich in any other reconstituentproduct of the tooth, electrically charged like the molecule carryingthe active groups (peroxide). The polarity of the resistor present inthe gel is again reversed 63, in order to allow, on the one hand, thepenetration of the fluorine ions (or others) 64 and, on the other hand,to attract the dyestuff molecules having a reversed polarity and havingbeen retained in the tooth during time 2.

It is obvious that, and this also falls within the principle of theinvention, the fluorine can be present in the active bleaching productand migrate with the gel during time 1. The polarities are compatible.This solution has the advantage of avoiding the change of the gel intime 3, because it is then enough to reverse the polarities twice. Onthe other hand, this has the drawback of bringing side to side twomolecules which can be incompatible, fluorine being a well-knownreaction inhibitor.

Advantageously, if one wishes to accelerate the clinical procedure, onecan carry out only one polarization in the direction of penetration ofthe active molecules, with or without fluorine, or of the exit of thedegraded molecules after action of the active molecules outside theelectric field. This method can be interesting if the behavior of someactive molecules is disturbed during their reactions on the dyes.

There can also be programmed, according to the invention, sequenceswithout electrophoretic current, for example, between times 1 and 2 andbetween times 2 and 3. This can allow to perfect determined reactionssensitive to the electrical current.

Likewise, any form of intervention on the electrophoretic current can becontemplated within the framework of the invention. Thus, one can, in anon-restrictive way:

-   -   Play on the intensity. It is shown in experiments that it is        possible to significantly increase the action of the technique        according to the invention by causing the intensity of the        current to increase, then decrease quickly, and this by        successive waves.    -   Cause the polarization of the poles to change, not in three        times, but in an alternating way, in order to allow determined        molecules to find more favorable paths into the crystal of the        tooth.

Use this alternating principle, by exploiting granted time at eachpolarization. Times are kept as previously defined, but the polarity isreversed several times and quickly There is globally a positive ornegative polarization corresponding to evoked times, but it isinterrupted by reversed polarity allowing the molecules to circulateinto the tooth, and eventually, to emerge from steric or electric deadends.

In FIG. 8, according to a variant, the thermal rise is brought about,not by an electric resistor, but by a circulation of water or any typeof thermal vector in conduits 60 which pass through the gutter 1 bypenetrating through an opening 67 and leaving through another one 68.This vector can be a liquid or a gas such as hot air. It is obvious thatthis mounting does not impede the addition of the electrophoretic field.In the example shown in this figure and corresponding to a possibilityof implementation of the invention, the field is carried by the gutter 1itself, which is made out of conductive material, and the connection27–28 can be seen under the conduits of the thermal vector.

The diagram of FIG. 9 illustrates the successive operating steps, in thecase the molecules responsible for the coloring of the tooth are ofpositive loaded. The non-activated product is placed in a standardgutter 69 or made to measure. The principle of activation or ofacceleration of the activation of the peroxide-based molecule or otheris started thanks to a thermal or photonic rise 70. The activatedproduct 71 has a negative valence (in our example) 72. A control byfeedback can limit at any time the energy contribution by directlymeasuring the temperature 73 and/or by following the evolution of theelectrophoretic current. It is indeed at that moment that theelectrophoretic field is created by placing the contact on the gutter(negative) and by asking the patient to hold the other pole (positive)74. There is penetration of the active negative radicals into the tooth75, attracted by the positive charges of the pulp and pushed back by thenegative charges of the gutter. The peroxide molecules are then indirect contact with the molecules of dyestuff 76. This allows tosignificantly decrease the doses currently used, hence, to protect thetooth. Then, one reverses the polarity. The molecules of dyestuff whichare degraded and positively charged leave, attracted by the negativepole of the gutter 77, together with the peroxide molecules and the notcharged molecules that can be dragged passively 78. One reverses a lasttime the polarity, in order to allow the penetration of fluorine 79. Thefeedback measuring the physical characteristics of the electrophoreticcurrent can intervene at all levels 80. the gutter 1 by penetratingthrough an opening 67 and leaving through another one 68.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the molecules of theactive products, such as carbamide peroxide, are charged during theirpackaging, thus avoiding the activation phase, or are charged during theactivation phase by energy means described above. These loads can becarried by a radical of the molecule independent from the peroxideradical or from the radical of any other bleaching product (reducingand/or oxidizing product).

It is also recalled that according to the invention, and to support themovements of the molecules not charged intervening in the bleachingaction, it is possible to move the molecules, thanks to an indirectelectrophoretic action, by dragging them by means of a loaded fluidpresent in the gel or added to the latter. To this end and according tothe invention, a gel is provided capable of penetrating into the tooth,without chemical action on the molecules of the dyes, but very dynamic.The inversion of polarity in the tooth will cause its return out of thetooth, dragging by this second reversed movement (dynamism of thefluids) the degraded and coloring molecules.

Advantageously, the gel containing the bleaching product (for examplethe carbamide peroxide) and/or the tooth-reinforcing product (forexample fluorine) changes color according to the concentration. Forexample, the movement of the peroxide groups in the tooth decreases itsconcentration in the gel by increasing it in the tooth. This allows,according to the invention, to follow the progression of the clinicalprocedure, and to stop it at a known color as the one corresponding to agood concentration of the active peroxide groups in the tooth, and toensure a good bleaching action. The same observation can be made duringthe migration of fluorine (for example) or the return of the dyes.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the gel containsmolecules which, in contact with the dyes, get a charge reversed to thatpresent in the bleaching molecule (peroxide) or convert the load of thedegraded dyestuff into a load reversed with respect to the peroxide.This method has the advantage of eliminating time 2 of theelectrophoresis, because the loads of the dyes and those of the degradeddyes are, in this case, and according to the invention, reversed withrespect to the active bleaching molecules (peroxide). They will besubjected to a reversed movement to leave the tooth and simultaneouswith that of penetration of the peroxide without it being necessary toreverse the polarity. There is thus a merger of times 1 and 2, describedin the example of FIG. 7 and only two times of action: times 1 and 3. Ifthe tooth-reinforcing agent {fluorine) is present in the initial gel, itis no longer necessary to create an inversion of polarity, and onesingle time is then possible.

It is obvious that, according to the invention, since the chargedproducts are very vulnerable, the activation and the polarization of theactive compounds such as the carbamide peroxide occurs by mixing thebasic compounds, before their introduction into the gutter.

To answer a concern for automation, one can add to the electrophoreticgel a current-measuring sensor 21 (potential difference, intensity . . .). Indeed, it is known that during the electrophoresis there is aprogressive change of the characteristics of the current involved, inparticular when the ionic movement is finished, these values tendtowards the infinite, it is thus easy to provide for an automatic stop,or an indication of end of cycle, hence to know whether the treatment iscompleted, according to pre-stored scientific criteria.

It is also obvious that, according to the invention, thethermal/electric resistor of the electrophoresis will serve forcontrolling by feedback the light output. The stored values allow toknow whether it is necessary or not to stop the photonic action oflight. It is also possible to change this light power by adjusting theparameters controlling the electric output supplied to the LEDs. Theimplementation of the CD-CD process as described in WO 03/068102 allowsto obtain this result under the best conditions.

With this concept of control of the energy implemented in bleaching canbe associated other systems commonly used at the practitioner's surgeryor at the patient's home. Thus and according to the invention, thesupply used at home for the electrophoresis can be shared with that usedfor supplying or recharging the electric toothbrushes or the portabletelephones (on a journey). This duality allows to significantly reducethe price of such a device. Likewise, at the dentist's surgery, theassociation of this electrophoretic system with ultrasonic units orprojections of abrasives (bicarbonate . . . ) allows to design ableaching center incorporating all the apparatuses used by thespecialist, without increasing its cost significantly, since the mostexpensive elements (supply unit), are shared by several technologies.

Advantageously, the adjustment and the control of the parametersallowing the implementation of this invention are under the control of aCPU, which is itself programmed by the specialist. There exists achip-card system allowing to program these parameters, and it is enoughfor the patient to insert the card he has been given by his dentist tobe sure the parameters defining the electrophoresis are in conformitywith the code of practice. Finally, the device according to theinvention provides the user with the possibility of regulating andadjusting the operating conditions of his apparatus in the way and wherehe wants, so that he is not limited, as in the past, to the blind andempirical action of peroxide without any control or follow-up.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the colorimeter 14 isassociated with this control by feedback. One knows that the color of abody depends on 3 criteria referred to as L.A.B., xy and Y, RGB or thelike, according to the followed theory. Using a color sensor 14 in thedevice allows to follow the evolution of bleaching in the course oftreatment. This measuring can be performed, according to the invention,at the level of the gel which can be faded or be colored according tothe contribution of coloring molecules or by reaction with the latter,as we described above. This allows to know whether one must stop or notthe application, and avoids having to proceed in an empirical way. Thisalso avoids stopping the action before the end of the treatment andallows to limit the expenses incurred. Likewise, this system ofmeasurement can be carried out on the tooth, before and after treatment,thus allowing the practitioner to show to his patient the evolution ofbleaching. To this end, a special sensor 12 comprised of the colormeasurer described above in FIG. 4 has been developed, the end of whichcan:

-   -   either be integrated into the gel,    -   or be placed on the tooth.

It remains however a fact that most bleaching devices cannot act ondevitalized teeth or can so with the help of high concentrations or withthe use of specific products such as borates. This would also apply tothis invention if a solution were not proposed, since, after the pulpand the blood circulation have been removed, there can no longer be anelectric conduction of reversed polarity with respect to that of the gelinside the tooth. The present invention provides an alternativeespecially developed for the devitalized teeth. Advantageously andaccording to the invention, as can be seen in FIG. 10, the pole held inthe patient's hand or placed against his body, is replaced by or coupled(in series) to a probe S that can be inserted into the dental channel 81of the previously drilled devitalized tooth 82. A conductive gel 83 isplaced in the channel to replace the dental pulp which does no longerexist, after care has been taken to humidify the tooth. The function ofconduction of the second pole is thus again created, even in absence ofpulp.

Advantageously and still according to the invention, this gel containsactive bleaching components and fluorine, as we observed in the externalgel, but of reversed polarity, so that they are attracted towards thegel of this external gutter. One creates a second movement of activemolecules reversed with respect to that of the gutter of the externalpole. If there are no active molecules of reversed polarity, it isenough to repeat the operation in a sequential way: external bleaching,then, internal bleaching etc . . . by using the same gel and the samepolarity (as described in FIG. 7, but with an inversion of polarity,according to whether the active gel is inside or outside the tooth.

This extension of the invention has the advantage of allowing atechnique for bleaching devitalized teeth, which is very importantbecause they are often the most colored teeth. This has also theadvantage of increasing even more significantly the action of theproducts since they have moved electrophoretically towards the coloredmolecules of the inside and the interior of the tooth. With this doubleinternal and external action is associated an action of extirpation ofthe molecules of dyestuff on both sides. In this case, and in order tounderstand the mechanism of bleaching from the internal pole, it isenough to reverse times 2 and 3 of FIG. 7.

When referring now to FIG. 7, one can see that the invention is notlimited to the bleaching of teeth, but that it also finds an applicationto the treatment of other parts of the body such as tissues or hairs,and in this case nails. This figure thus shows a gel-supporting means84, adapted to the end of a finger 85, and covering the nail, notvisible, of the latter.

It can be seen from the preceding description that the present inventionperfectly solves the problems set forth in that it provides a realanswer for optimizing the bleaching of the teeth and the protection ofthe dental organ. From this description also results that it allows tosolve fundamental problems, such as the control of the clinical action,which no other method has provided so far.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the only mode ofimplementation of this process, nor to the only embodiments of thedevice for the implementation of this process, described above by way ofexamples; it embraces, on the contrary, all the variants ofimplementation and embodiment. Thus, it would be possible, inparticular, to bleach objects other than parts of the human body, suchas, for example, statues or fabrics. It is also possible to contemplatea type of industrial washing based on the present invention and ensuringthe movements of penetration of the cleaning body or of extirpation ofthe molecules responsible for coloring by electrophoresis.

1. A bleaching device for bleaching parts of the body, the devicecomprising: an electrophoretic wave current generator with a varyingmodulation; a means for transmitting current from the wave-currentgenerator to the part of the body to be bleached; a means for creating anon-traumatizing field through the part of the body to be bleached, saidmeans for creating comprising a plurality of electrodes and a conductivegel, the field being selected from a group consisting of electric,electrophoretic and electromagnetic; a means for containing saidconductive gel in contact with said plurality of electrodes and the partof the body to be bleached so as to cause a continuous field; an activeproduct suitable for bleaching which is sensitive to the current; andmeans for activating said product, said means for activating beingselected from a group consisting of heat and light, said means forcontaining said conductive gel having a conduction circuit and aresistor so as to define a first pole in said means for containing saidconductive gel and a second pole in contact with the part of the body.2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a central unit means forcontrolling and storing and monitoring parameters of the wave-currentgenerator.
 3. The device of claim 1, said means for containing saidconductive gel comprising: a gel molded onto the part of the body. 4.The device of claim 1, said second pole in contact with the body beingplaced in a tube containing an electrophoretic bleaching gel as a rootof a devitalized tooth.
 5. The device of claim 1, said means foractivating comprising: a photonic activator suitable for activating saidproduct.
 6. The device of claim 1, said means for containing saidconductive gel comprising: a source of light selected from a groupconsisting of halogen light, arc light and LED light transmitted by anoptical fiber.
 7. The device of claim 1, said means for containing saidconductive gel incorporating light-emitting diodes generating a sourceof light.
 8. The device of claim 1, said means for containing saidconductive gel comprising: a means for controlling an electrical orthermal evolution of the gel, said means for controlling comprising asensor.
 9. The device of claim 8, said means for controlling comprising:a colorimeter having a light generation and a differential analyzer. 10.The device of claim 1, said generator having a varying modulation intension, frequency and amplitude.
 11. The device of claim 1, saidconductive gel containing electrically-charged molecules which aresuitable for moving through said gel toward the part of the body underaction of the current.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidconductive gel contains electrically charged molecules responsible foraction of reinforcement of the body to be treated, the molecules movingthrough the gel towards the body to be treated under the action of thecurrent used and compensating for possible degradations caused bybleaching action.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidconductive gel is electrically charged, the gel allowing molecules to bedragged and moved passively towards the body under action ofdisplacement of the gel by movement of the gel, said molecules beingresponsible for bleaching or reinforcing action, said molecules notbeing electrically charged.
 14. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a button means for reversing a polarity of said first poleand said second pole of said means for containing said conductive gel.15. The device of claim 1, said means for activating said productcomprising: an electric resistor connected to a photonic emitter or acirculating fluid.
 16. The device of claim 1, said conductive gel beingcolor-changeable relative to the current applied thereto.